Treherbert local, Chloe-Jayne Shellard, shares her experiences of borrowing an e-bike for free through our E-Move project, delivered in partnership with Welcome to Our Woods and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Borrowing an e-bike has been a revelation for Chloe-Jayne and her family.
I first borrowed an e-bike through Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s E-Move project on a one-month loan.
I was given a Dutch-style bike with a child seat fitted to the back, which meant I could use it straight away for nursery runs with my two-and-a-half-year-old.
The bike is heavy, but in a way that feels safe and sturdy on the road, and the motor more than compensates for the weight.
From the start, it felt like a gamechanger for us as a family.
Suddenly, the kinds of journeys that used to feel stressful were quick, reliable and even enjoyable.
An unexpected surprise for the family routine
Most mornings, getting my son to nursery meant sitting in traffic along our high street and then struggling to find a parking space outside the school gates.
Walking wasn’t much better.
The main road is busy, and with a toddler who likes to dart ahead, it never felt safe.
With the e-bike, though, the whole journey’s been transformed.
What once took far too long now just takes seven minutes (I timed it!).
For the first time, I arrive calm and on time rather than rushing and worrying.
Try (for free) before you buy
Before trying the e-bike, I had been seriously considering buying a second family car.
My husband often needs ours for work, and the train fares – even just for one stop – quickly add up.
Cycling’s always appealed to me, but living in the valleys makes it difficult; one turn away from home and you’re facing a steep climb.
Carrying a toddler on the back only adds to the challenge.
Having the option to switch to Turbo mode has been a revelation.
Suddenly, those steep inclines are manageable, and I can even enjoy the views from the top rather than arriving exhausted.
I often use the bike for shopping as well.
Instead of defaulting to the closest grocery store, which is more expensive and has fewer options, I’ll happily ride further to the shop I actually prefer.
On the e-bike, I don’t feel the same guilt I would about driving three miles just to pick up my son’s favourite yoghurt when it’s on special offer.
The trip becomes a quick, simple ride that leaves me feeling relaxed from the fresh air, rather than frustrated from being caught in traffic or stuck at an intersection for minutes on end.
Weighing up what’s going to be best for us
The experience has highlighted just how practical e-bikes can be as an alternative to a second car.
They save time, reduce stress, and make short trips genuinely enjoyable.
For me, the biggest surprise has been how quickly it’s become part of our everyday life.
My son loves riding on the back and is always keen to get on – sometimes a little too keen, as I have to remind him he can’t climb into the front and ride it himself.
For him, the e-bike is more than just transport; it’s an adventure.
Borrowing the e-bike has opened my eyes to what’s possible, even in a place as hilly as the valleys.
It’s shown me that daily journeys don’t always need to involve a car, and that alternatives can be both practical and enjoyable.
What started as a short-term loan has left me seriously considering making an e-bike a permanent part of our family’s routine – especially if my son has anything to say about it.
